I’m so excited that the year is coming to an end! You know, I’ve come to understand that every journey counts, no matter how tiny or seemingly insignificant. It’s all part of the big picture. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner, but before we dive into the holiday spirit, I want to wish you a happy new month! I also want to take this opportunity to celebrate my country, Nigeria, as we mark our independence. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! 🎉 As we celebrate 64 years of freedom, let’s hold onto hope for a better future and greater days ahead. Nigeria gained its independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, and tomorrow, October 1, 2024, we’ll be 64 years old!
Here are some fun facts about Nigeria you may not know:
1. Most Populous Country in Africa: Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with over 220 million people.
2. Diverse Ethnic Groups: There are more than 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, with the three largest being the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.
3. Official Language: English is the official language of Nigeria, a remnant of British colonial rule.
4. Nigerian Pidgin: Besides English, Nigerian Pidgin is widely spoken and serves as a lingua franca across the country.
5. Cultural Heritage: Nigeria is rich in cultural heritage, with over 500 festivals celebrated annually, showcasing its diverse traditions.
6. Nollywood: Nigeria has the second-largest film industry in the world, known as Nollywood, producing thousands of films each year.
7. National Anthem: Nigeria’s national anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," was adopted in 1978 and emphasizes unity and patriotism.
8. Rich Natural Resources: Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers in Africa, contributing significantly to its economy.
9. Lake Chad: Lake Chad, located in the northeastern part of the country, is one of the largest lakes in Africa but has significantly shrunk in size over the years.
10. Football Passion: Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Nigeria, with the national team, the Super Eagles, being a source of national pride.
11. Traditional Cuisine: Nigerian cuisine is known for its rich flavors, with staples like jollof rice, pounded yam, and egusi soup being widely enjoyed.
12. Music Influence: Nigeria is known for its vibrant music scene, giving rise to genres like Afrobeat, highlife, and juju music.
13. Gidi Culture: Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, is often referred to as "Gidi," a term that reflects its dynamic urban culture.
14. Literary Giants: Nigeria has produced several renowned writers, including Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi and Wole Soyinka, both celebrated for their contributions to literature.
15. Osun-Osogbo Festival: This annual festival honors the river goddess Osun and attracts visitors from around the world.
16. The Niger River: The Niger River, one of the longest rivers in Africa, runs through Nigeria and is crucial for agriculture and fishing.
17. World's Largest Hand-Painted Mural: Nigeria is home to the world’s largest hand-painted mural, located in Lagos, showcasing the country's vibrant culture.
18. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Nigeria boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Aso Rock and the Sukur Cultural Landscape.
19. Educational Hub: Nigeria has some of Africa's most prestigious universities, including the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University.
20. Youthful Population: With over 60% of its population under the age of 25, Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world, representing a vibrant and dynamic future.
Let’s celebrate our journey and embrace the beauty and richness of Nigeria as we look forward to what’s next! Happy Independence Day! 🇳🇬
Every May 20th, World Bee Day commemorates the indispensable contribution of bees and other pollinators to our ecosystems and food security. This date holds significance as it honors Anton Janša, a Slovenian innovator in modern beekeeping, who was born on May 20, 1734, and pioneered the first beekeeping school globally. Bees not only produce honey and wax, but also play a crucial role in pollination, facilitating the transfer of pollen between plants, which is essential for fertilization and reproduction. Their pollination efforts impact 75% of the world's crops and 90% of wild flowering plants, fostering biodiversity, climate resilience, and human sustenance. However, bees and other pollinators confront numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, diseases, invasive species, and climate change, jeopardizing their survival and diversity.
World Bee Day aims to raise awareness of these challenges and advocate for actions to protect and preserve bees and their habitats, such as planting bee-friendly flowers, avoiding pesticides, and supporting local beekeepers. This annual observance serves to highlight the critical role of bees and other pollinators in maintaining a healthy planet while shedding light on the obstacles they face, such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change. Here are some ways you can participate in this important cause:
Here are some ways to support bees and pollinators:
- Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers: Choose flowers that attract bees like lavender, sunflowers, and wildflowers to provide them with food and shelter.
- Avoid Pesticides: Reduce or eliminate the use of harmful pesticides in your garden and opt for natural alternatives to protect bees and other beneficial insects.
- Support Local Beekeepers: Purchase honey and other bee products from local beekeepers to help sustain their livelihoods and maintain bee populations.
- Educate Youth: Involve young people in beekeeping activities and conservation efforts as they are the future stewards of our environment.
- Remember, you don’t have to be a beekeeper to make a difference. Even small actions collectively contribute to the well-being of bees and pollinators! 🐝🌼
In the first person, the child looked up to
The one who shows the purest love
smile of the world, a ray of sunshine
Joy Giver, Discipline Dispenser
Maami, Nne'm, and Uwata
You are so great that the word "amazing" doesn't do you justice.
Thank you for everything you do.
On behalf of Melody Jacob Brand, I would like to express our gratitude to you for your support throughout the course of this year. Because of you, we are able to write, review, and publish content; without you, none of this would be possible.
I give thanks to God for the wonderful year that has just passed and I look forward to 2023. I want to guarantee you that I will provide the finest service and response possible. I'm looking forward to building a long-term relationships with bloggers, readers, publishers, and brands that will benefit us all.
Please accept my best wishes for a prosperous and successful new year.
Yours faithfully
Melody Jacob Brand
The 25th of July is World Drowning Prevention Day, as designated by the April 2021 UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/273 "Global drowning prevention."
Key messages
Who is able to donate blood?
Autoimmunity” means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”). As a result, it creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. Info.
#maternalMHmatters
How you can get involved
The theme this year highlights the need to invest in maternal mental health, while we emphasize that investment is not limited to financial donation but can include investing your time, your expertise, or simply a reminder to invest in yourself.
Become an Advocate for maternal mental health by posting about ways in which you or your organization invests in #MMH – spread the word by adding the #LetsInvest hashtag and tagging @WMMHday.
Become a Global Partner for maternal mental health by using the sign-up form on our global partner page. Around 200 partners from across the globe are already part of this campaign. Anyone can join!
Wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness becoming severe and constant.
Being too breathless to eat, speak or sleep.
Breathing faster.
A fast heartbeat.
Drowsiness, confusion, exhaustion, or dizziness.
Blue lips or fingers.
Fainting.
Dates: Mon, May 3, 2021 – Thu, May 6, 2021
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer and also the deadliest of skin cancers. The observance focuses on skin health, sun safety, tanning prevention, skin bleaching, and skin cancer screenings.
1. Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
2. wearing a broad-brimmed hat, long sleeves, and pants. And don’t forget the back of your neck.
3. Trees, umbrellas, and awnings provide excellent sun protection on warm sunny days.
4. Avoid tanning beds. The UV light in tanning beds puts you at risk for melanoma, too.
5. Regularly check your skin for abnormal moles. If you notice changes, see your dermatologist have it checked.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MelanomaMonday
* Join the American Academy of Dermatology in wearing orange.
F.A.S.T.
What you need to know
Stroke can happen to anyone at any age.
80% of all strokes are preventable.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of severe disability.
On average, one person dies from a stroke every 4 minutes.
More than 795,000 people have a stroke each year in the U.S.
Stroke kills almost 130,000 of the 800,000 Americans who die of cardiovascular disease each year—that’s 1 out of every 19 deaths from all causes.
National Honesty Day was created by M. Hirsh Goldberg while he was doing research for his book: “The Book of Lies: Schemes, Scams, Fakes, and Frauds That Have Changed the Course of History and Affect Our Daily Lives.” in 1991. While some critics say that he coined this holiday to sell more books, Mr. Goldberg has stated that he created the holiday to serve as a contrast to April Fool’s Day.